Courier services do not just represent the transition of a package from one place to another. The best businesses in the industry value certain traits that ensure the highest quality service. Excellent driving skills are certainly a necessity, but the true professionals demand much more from their couriers. So what makes a courier service great? Here is a list of the most valued qualities that you can’t prove on a resume.
ONE: Composure. Courier services are often forced to handle last-minute deliveries that require immediate action. A great courier is calm when others – even the customer – have resorted to panic. The stakes can be high, particularly when the job includes medical items or confidential documents. Composure in this business means being able to do your job efficiently and effectively without allowing the potential consequences of failure affect the process. If speed is inherent in your job description, it’s crucial that you’re calm under pressure.
TWO: Conscientiousness. Showing adequate care to one’s craft is a good quality in all endeavors, but in courier services, it’s an absolute necessity. The courier has to know how to properly treat potentially dangerous and life-altering items, particularly when it comes to medical transportation. Appropriate training is involved, but an innately unconscientious courier will fail regardless of if he or she has training. Additionally, couriers are usually responsible for keeping detailed records of the tasks they complete. Neglect, in this regard, is unacceptable.
THREE: Efficiency. It’s one thing to know how to get from Point A to Point B. It’s another thing to naturally know how to make sure that the job is done as quickly as possible. That means being punctual, being aware of possible obstacles along the way, and understanding the specific needs of the customer.
FOUR: Flexibility. The reliable couriers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A routine-oriented person who enjoys the 9-5 grind might not be fit to work in this industry. Customers vary widely in their needs; the job of the courier is to be able to respond appropriately, regardless of what those needs are.
FIVE: Alertness. Driving at all hours of the day is an inevitability for a courier. He or she might be forced to work on limited rest. But it’s imperative that the driver does not allow drowsiness or personal problems impact the task at hand. Staying alert and aware of circumstances and surroundings is crucial to the safety of the courier and the completion of the job.